Cosatu calls on Treasury not to cut progressive allocations in the budget [SOUND]

# Cosatu says National Treasury needs to resist the emotional and unhelpful temptation to slash the many important progressive allocations in the budget. These include the freeze on the fuel tax, extending value-added tax exemptions for additional essential food items, and increasing social grants above inflation. This follows the Western Cape High Court officially suspending the 0.5-percent VAT increase. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Matthew Parks, says they will continue to engage Treasury, government and Parliament: